Tai Chi’s dance-like movements often seem deceptively gentle to observers, who frequently think that a Tai Chi workout cannot build strength – but, in fact, Tai Chi can build strong muscles quite effectively. It is, after all, a true martial art despite its focus on low-impact movements, poses, and breathing. One of its early practitioners… Read more »
Tai Chi – Flexible Bodies and Flexible Minds Tai Chi’s movements have often been likened to a slow and graceful dance, as the practitioners of this five hundred year old Chinese martial art move their bodies through a steady cycle of poses. Stretching, extending, circling, and withdrawing, those who use Tai Chi stretch their tendons,… Read more »
The sounds in Qigong Sound is used in some forms of Qigong for various reasons primarily including the stimulation of various meridians (energy channels) and as a focal point for meditation. The organ channel sounds are as follows: Xu – For the liver, associated with the color green He – For the heart, associated with… Read more »
Tai Chi Philosophy Crash Course: Knowing the philosophy and history behind the art of Tai Chi is essential for developing a deep practice. There is common misconception that the name Tai Chi (taiji) is referring to the same subject as the word Qi (Chi). The first part of the art name Tai Chi Ch’uan, “Tai… Read more »
One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “What is the difference between Tai Chi vs. Qigong?” My short answer is that they are mostly the same. Tai chi originated from Qigong and can therefore be thought of as a form of it. Of course, they aren’t exactly the same or they wouldn’t have… Read more »
Roots run deep The idea of rooting oneself is important in Tai Chi and Qigong. Stated simply, your root is your ability to sense your connection to the ground. It is the foundation upon which you build your practice. “You must sink your chi,” says every teacher/website/book on Tai Chi and Qigong. Developing root is one… Read more »
Stress is no fun Everyone has their ‘favorite’ version of stress. It can be pressure on the job, unexpected expenses, or needing to confront someone regarding a serious issue. Regardless of the cause, stress is always uncomfortable. But let’s look at it from a different (and more positive) perspective for a moment — through… Read more »
Tai chi is practiced in four main areas martial arts/ self-defense, philosophical/creative, medical/therapeutic and spiritual/religious. Many of us have seen people practicing tai chi. It seems so graceful and soft, but out of the softness comes a very effective short and middle range martial art. Using Tai chi martial applications you will learn how to yield… Read more »
Tai Chi Chuan is sometimes referred to as Thirteen postures or “Thirteen patterns”, these patterns include “Eight Jin Patterns,” also called the “Eight Doors” and five foot work patterns referred to as the “Five Strategic Stepping patterns”. According to the Tai Chi Chuan classics the eight Jin patterns are related to the eight trigrams (BaGua)… Read more »
There are thousands of people teaching tai chi and tai chi push hands around the world. Personally, I have trained with many teachers here in the states as well as teachers in China. I have found that even with the “Masters” there are few who really have a good understanding of how to apply the… Read more »
-Becca, A happy new member of our Qigong and Tai Chi community
